Ch 3 Undetected

 The Christ Crusade Club was holding their meeting in the one and only Club meeting room in DeMille. They sat in a large circle of chairs. Olivia and Bradley sat at the top of the circle, next to them was Regina Webber, and on the opposite side sat the happy couple of Beverly Summers and Shawn Roach. They we’re the all American cheerleader and linebacker couple, the stereotypical high school couple that survived high school and into college. Their involvement in the club was purely social, only the tippy top of DeMille’s students were allowed to join. Next to them was Beverly’s twin sister Megan Summers. Megan was a proclaimed pacifist and an upright prude. She had no intention to brew a cultural war with the GSA. She was alone in this prospect. There were at least 15 members of the Christ Crusade and all of them were in favor of riding DeMille University of the homosexual menace. 

“And we can’t have nice things or express ourselves in front of everyone because these fags get offended so easily… it just breaks my heart that they don’t understand what they’re doing to themselves and to God… Its just so disrespectful to God” Regina Webber finished speaking when Olivia busted in. “Did you see that rat, Ronnie, this morning? Bet he didn’t expect for it to start so early”  

“Let’s not count our blessings before they hatch” Interjected Megan

“Megan’s right. We don’t know their strategy yet… but I do know one thing, they won’t be able to meet up tonight to discuss it” Said Bradley incumbently. “You didn’t” said Olivia.

“I had a little favor to cash in at ASB, and they booked us over those fags, let’s see them trying to get in here” 

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Asked Megan solemnly. “You are such a prude Megan.” Said her sister, Beverly. “Yeah Megan stop being such a prude. These fags think they can come into DeMille and start gay clubs and just soil and defecate on the good Christian moral of our school.” Shawn spoke out in despise. 

“We need to show them that there’s no place for them here in DeMille, and I think we will accomplish that with the help of Reverend James-“  Bradley was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. 

Olivia stood up angrily and yet confidant. She opened the door and there stood the ever so humble looking Jane McCarthy with her bright red hair in a clean ponytail and her glasses contrasting the light from the room. Jane was the president of the GSA club, she was the straight part of the club. Her ties to her gay brother Albert influenced her position on the issue greatly, having to defend him against countless bullies and holy monsters throughout her whole life, and now in college she has made it her mission to extend the boundaries of her protection by being the president. But fighting the crusaders was no walk in the park. With growing opposition, the GSA has become harder to defend. Essentially, Jane is the stronghold of the GSA club, she has bested the crusaders before but at great loss like last year’s AIDS benefit for the hospice in downtown, they had won a lawsuit that would’ve prohibited them from raising any money, however, in light of the victory, Albert was attacked and bashed and was sent to the hospital. That is Jane’s worst fear; failing to protect her little brother. She had always been there for him.

“Umm, we’re supposed to have this room, who gave you the keys-“

“Didn’t they tell you? we have express booking, and since our gathering is more important than your group of butt munching fags” Olivia tries to slam the door shut in Jane’s face but Jane stopped it with her foot.

“I think you’re under the misconception that I’m just going to back down and let you have the room, c’mon we’ve been down this road, now all of you this room is booked so get out!”

Jane felt a rush of power and authority until Bradley stood up from his chair menacingly. Jane quivered inside as his massive, muscular body crept closer.

“The only one who’s leaving is you Jane, we were here first and I do believe we were booked first, if you have a problem take it up with ASB, of course it’ll have to be tomorrow cause they’re office is closed for the day. So get outta here, dyke”  He pushes Jane out of the door way and slams the door on her face. 

Jane jumps back and starts banging on the door while Ronnie and Will come in the hallway.

“Open the door right now!” shouted Jane. 

“Jane, what’s going on?” asked Ronnie trying to stop her from banging on the door.

“Those bastards took our room again!”

“You gotta be fucking kidding me!” shouted Will. he seemed disturbed. He had a guilty pleasure of going inside and sitting on the comfortable sofa that was inside while he dreamt of boys and summer.

“You guys, just let it be!” Said Ronnie

 “Let it be?!” Said Will and Jane

“We’re not going to get anything by banging on the door! Let’s just find another place to meet.”

“Dammit!” Jane was ticked off. This was not how she was expecting to start off the year. “I know what you’re thinking” said Ronnie putting a hand on her shoulder. “They started too soon”.

The smell of garlic bread mixed with spoiled cabbage filled the air that occupied the medium sized cafeteria kitchen, which Jane was reluctant to get the cook to let them meet in there for a few minutes. It was cold and silvery; there was nowhere to sit except on the table tops where Will sat with his legs crossed filing his nails. Ronnie and Teddy leaned on the stoves while Jane hogged the only stool. Most people who came were standing up or sitting on the mildly dirty tables. Gemma walked in wearing her usual preppie hipster attire: a floral print skirt with a faded jean jacket. Gemma was another straight ally; she was also Jane’s best friend. 

Then finally Albert and his boyfriend, Melvin, arrived hand in hand. The two most straight-looking men one will ever see holding hands and kissing. Albert’s white skin contrasted that of Melvin’s chocolate brown shade. They were the envy of all the little gay boys in the club, including Ronnie as he looked at Albert, his longtime crush, exchange saliva with another hot attractive guy. The image stirred in him a feeling of pain, and lust. Everyone in the club had arrived, all 12 members.

Everyone was furious about the crusaders taking their room, especially Will. Jane turned around in her stool, trying to address the club.

“Alright guys let’s get it into gear! I know we’ve had a good break, but it seems we’ve got more work ahead of us this year. Those thumpers started off quickly this year, were gonna have to work at their pace. I’m not gonna lie. It’s gonna get intense, but we won’t be able to win if we don’t have full cooperation.” Jane lectures as Will sits filing his nails sees something moving out of the corner of his eye. It was quick but it was there. Someone was watching them from the window slot in the kitchen door. Will tuned out Jane’s sermon and focused on the kitchen door yards away until he didn’t see it again. 

“So does anyone have any ideas?” Jane asked the crowd. Ronnie nudged Will as to pay attention. “Anyone have any ideas on how to raise money for the Holistic center?” Jane asked again in hopes of a good reply. 

No one seemed to be responding. Everyone was quite stricken with grief at the loss of the air-conditioned meeting room. Will was now wondering if he had teased his liza wig enough before leaving, it would go completely flat sometimes. Will slowly raised his bony hand.

“Yes Will”

“How about a good old fashioned drag show, I know my friend Annita Mann would love to showcase her new dance of the virgin” Will got off the table and posed majestically holding an invisible veil across his face. He received giggles from the crowd except Ronnie, he especially enjoyed drag shows.

“That’s actually not a bad idea”. Ronnie jumped in to save the day. “Think about it, we could host it at Flames, they do drag shows all the times, we could charge 5 dollars for admission, and me and Will could get other drag queens to perform”

“It sounds good but-“

“No one wants to see drag queens lip sync anymore, it’s so 80’s” Interjected Albert, holding his hubby close-by. “Excuse you! Honey, drag queens do a lot more than open and close their mouths.” Will could’ve pounced at the straight homosexual with his newly file nails.

“Actually what I was gonna say is that we already have drag bingo scheduled for the tenth.” Jane interjected.

“You can never get enough Annita Mann. Jane, sweetheart, I don’t see anyone else throwing ideas, so its drag or no drag” Will interjected.

“I think it would be fun. I’ve never seen Annita Mann” Said Gemma enthusiastically.

“Oh sweetie I wish I had my Liza wig” 

“Fine. Will and Ronnie, you’re in charge of this project, everyone here is expected to cooperate in some way.”

After dismissal Will, Ronnie and Teddy walked along the deserted, dark, after hour hallways. They were walking along a dim lighted corridor. For some reason Will was displeased with how the meeting went. “That depraved zombie queer. How dare he insult an art-form”

“Art-form?” questioned Teddy. “Theodore, honey, don’t get me started, all you straight-acting gays talk about is how you hate femininity. Newsflash, sweetie you’re still a fag even if you don’t drag.”

“Did someone say faggots?” Shawn Roach’s voice popped out of nowhere and out came the entire Christ Crusade Club. It seemed they had also ended their meeting. Like a couple of cornered rats, was exactly how Ronnie and Teddy felt, Will on the other hand stepped in front of them and took no steps backwards. 

“Jeez Shawn, why are you so obsessed with gay people? Do they make you feel weird in your funny parts?” Will said as Ronnie tried to come out behind Will. 

Shawn jumped at Will but Bradley grabbed him before he could touch Will. “Shawn, not on school property! Do you want to get kicked out?” Bradley held Shawn in a sleeper hold. It was obvious he was much stronger than him. Will barely flinched. 

“Let that fag have it Bradley! Let him go!” Exclaimed Regina, mostly everyone nodded in approval. Megan began to walk backwards back into the hallway to avoid confrontation. 

Bradley whispered into Shawn’s ear while still restraining him. It was inaudible, no one else heard it but Will stared as he tried to make out the words that came out of Bradley’s mouth. Whatever they were Ronnie was truly and genuinely frightened. Shawn was staring at Will then his rage suddenly dispersed after Bradley’s words. 

Shawn was freed. “Fag Jew” he sneered at Will.

“Oh let’s add anti-Semitism to your list of good deeds! I’m sure God loves Nazis!” Will bursts out as the Crusaders march out of the hallway and out of sight. The three of them stand there for a few minutes. Ronnie tried to make out in his head what had just happened, the fear in him put him in a state of frozen shock, its his go to defense mechanism, and it took a while for him to snap out of it. Teddy was bewildered by Will’s courage, he instantly felt a little more respect for him. 

A light burst behind them. They turned around to see Jeremiah walking out of a classroom, it was too dark to see his face but his blonde hair shined like a beacon. 

“This schedule of mine is going to kill me” he said to them while approaching them. Teddy pulled himself closer to Ronnie, his heart started beating like a bass drum, and he could hear it.

“Have you guys seen my cousin, Olivia? Her club must’ve gotten out by now” 

“They just left” Will said staring at him now that the light had shone on his face and revealed his handsome features.

“Thanks”  he said as he walked past by them.